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Can I replace the battery myself in my 2008?

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erishun

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I know that's a stupid question, let me explain. I have a 2008, my battery is going soon. I needed a jump after working on my radio with the car not running. Also, I got my 60k service and "failed" my battery check. Dealership wanted $200+ for a new battery and the stats on it were miserable. (550 CCA)

So, I went to Advance Auto Parts and picked up one their gold level 700 CCA batteries with free installation.

After I bought it, they hooked up a little box to my OBD port, read my codes and said they couldn't install it for me in this make/model because they risked damaging my car. They said it could reset my security codes and then the car may not start again; it could damage/malfunction the car's computer.

So now I have a dead battery under the hood and a new battery in the backseat. Can I just pop in the new battery myself? Or will I risk whatever the hell they said would happen? Were they just being lazy because of the stupid plastic rivets?
 
#3 ·
If you were going to have a problem it would have happened already with the battery going dead. Put the new one in just make sure you don't reverse it.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Dr. Dyno said:
If you were going to have a problem it would have happened already with the battery going dead. Put the new one in just make sure you don't reverse it.
Click to expand...
Probably a good point actually. But it wasn't dead dead before. It just wouldn't start; it wouldn't turn over.

I was in the garage so I used a jump starter and it started up.
 
#5 ·
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#6 ·
erishun said:
I know that's a stupid question, let me explain. I have a 2008, my battery is going soon. I needed a jump after working on my radio with the car not running. Also, I got my 60k service and "failed" my battery check. Dealership wanted $200+ for a new battery and the stats on it were miserable. (550 CCA)

So, I went to Advance Auto Parts and picked up one their gold level 700 CCA batteries with free installation.

After I bought it, they hooked up a little box to my OBD port, read my codes and said they couldn't install it for me in this make/model because they risked damaging my car. They said it could reset my security codes and then the car may not start again; it could damage/malfunction the car's computer.

So now I have a dead battery under the hood and a new battery in the backseat. Can I just pop in the new battery myself? Or will I risk whatever the hell they said would happen? Were they just being lazy because of the stupid plastic rivets?
Click to expand...
I replaced the battery in my 2008 back in January with an AutoCraft Gold 700 CCA from Advance. It was a simple replacement no different from any other car I've owned. Nothing was damaged, no security codes were reset, and nothing was fried. All I had to do was re-program my favorite radio stations. I think they were being lazy because of that black plastic cover. Do you know how to remove those fasteners by pushing down in the middle?
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
JuneBug said:
I replaced the battery in my 2008 back in January with an AutoCraft Gold 700 CCA from Advance. It was a simple replacement no different from any other car I've owned. Nothing was damaged, no security codes were reset, and nothing was fried. All I had to do was re-program my favorite radio stations. I think they were being lazy because of that black plastic cover. Do you know how to remove those fasteners by pushing down in the middle?
Click to expand...
I saw a tool to remove the rivets. Looked like a screwdriver with a hook on it.

I take it I don't need any tools then?
 
#9 ·
I replaced BOTH of our RAV batteries this year myself. Nothing happened other than the car starting like it should. If you have an alarm it will go off when you hook the new battery up. That's a heart stopper if you're not ready for it. Reset the radio buttons as JuneBug said and away you go. The cheap ass Toyota batteries that came out of the cars did not have a handle to lift them by so that was tough on my screwed up back but that's it.
 
#10 ·
erishun said:
I saw a tool to remove the rivets. Looked like a screwdriver with a hook on it.

I take it I don't need any tools then?
Click to expand...
Only the correct sized wrenches. Just remove the old one, install the new one same way. Clean the cable ends with either a small round wire brush or a rolled up piece of sandpaper. Assume the new batteries terminals are clean, but clean them anyway. Install and tighten the positive(red)first, then the negative(black). If you have an alarm, keep the remote handy when you connect the negative.
Should start right up, reset radio and you're good to go.:thumbs_up:
 
#11 ·
erishun said:
I saw a tool to remove the rivets. Looked like a screwdriver with a hook on it.

I take it I don't need any tools then?
Click to expand...
No special tool required. Just push down on the center with a small screwdriver, toothpick, or matchstick. Then gently pull the fastener up. This diagram should help:

Image
 
#12 ·
And don't panic when you first drive off. The idle may be low, may shift funny etc. The computer controlling the engine settings goes through a 'learning' process after electricity is restored. After 10 miles or so it will all be good again.

Steve
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
JuneBug said:
No special tool required. Just push down on the center with a small screwdriver, toothpick, or matchstick. Then gently pull the fastener up. This diagram should help:

[diagram]
Click to expand...

super handy thanks!

i heard it's a good idea to smear your new battery terminals with vaseline before reconnecting the cables? good idea or urban myth?
 
#14 ·
erishun said:
After I bought it, they hooked up a little box to my OBD port, read my codes and said they couldn't install it for me in this make/model because they risked damaging my car. They said it could reset my security codes and then the car may not start again; it could damage/malfunction the car's computer.
Click to expand...
I want some of what that guy was smoking. :roll:

Vaseline works fine on battery terminals.
 
#19 ·
plastic rivet

JuneBug said:
No special tool required. Just push down on the center with a small screwdriver, toothpick, or matchstick. Then gently pull the fastener up. This diagram should help:

Image
Click to expand...
Hi,

I managed to change mine but in the process I broke one of the plastic clips from the picture above. I've been looking to find a replacement but I get confused between these tons of fastener clips. DOes anybody knows the part number?
I found somewhere a reference to 90467-10170-C0 but I can not seem to validate that.

Thanks a lot Adrian
 
#20 ·
just bring a sample to any toyota parts shop near you. usually they stock of the normal clips. they wil show you the diagram/components location so they can bill you.

yuribboi
 
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